Legend

  • A Aeronautics Research MD
  • H Human Exploration and Operations MD
  • S Science MD
  • Z Space Technology MD
  • Subtopic Pointers
  • Subtopic has been amended

Introduction

The SBIR and STTR subtopics are organized into groupings called “Focus Areas”. Focus Areas are a way of grouping NASA interests and related technologies with the intent of making it easier for proposers to understand related needs across the agency and thus identify subtopics where their research and development capabilities may be a good match.

Note: The SBIR and STTR Subtopics will appear in one combined listing. The STTR subtopics will begin with a “T” and will be clearly marked so that offerors will know that the additional Research Institution (RI) partnership is required before submitting a proposal. 

Subtopic numbering conventions from previous year’s solicitations have been maintained for traceability of like-subtopics from previous solicitations. The mapping is as follows:

A – Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD)

H – Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD)

S – Science Mission Directorate (SMD)

Z – Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)

T – Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

Proposers should think of the Subtopic Lead Mission Directorates and Lead/Participating Centers as potential customers for their proposals. Multiple Mission Directorates and Centers may have interests across the subtopics within a Focus Area.

Related subtopic pointers are identified when applicable in the subtopic headers to assist proposers with identifying related subtopics that also potentially seek related technologies for different customers or applications. As stated in section 3.1, an offeror shall not submit the same (or substantially equivalent) proposal to more than one subtopic. It is the offeror’s responsibility to select which subtopic to propose to.

Moon to Mars Campaign  

NASA is implementing a program for the exploration and utilization of the Moon followed by missions to Mars and other destinations, called the Moon to Mars campaign (see https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars/overview). Working with U.S. companies and international partners, NASA will push the boundaries of human exploration forward to the Moon and on to Mars. NASA is working to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon within the next decade to uncover new scientific discoveries and lay the foundation for private companies to build a lunar economy.

An early element of the exploration campaign is the delivery of payloads to the Moon for scientific study and the advancement of technology capabilities to support sustained lunar surface operations. There are many subtopics where proposals may include efforts to develop payloads for flight demonstration of relevant technologies in the lunar environment.

All subtopics with lunar relevance will be marked by a moon. For additional information on the Moon to Mars Campaign please see the Notable Changes section at the front of this solicitation.

SBIR/STTR Research Topics by Focus Area

Legend

  • A Aeronautics Research MD
  • H Human Exploration and Operations MD
  • S Science MD
  • Z Space Technology MD
  • Subtopic Pointers
  • Subtopic has been amended